Table tennis player Zhang Jike has £35,500 prize-money withheld after 'Ketsbaia' celebration

ITTF withhold Jike's prize-money after celebration following Liebherr Men's World Cup

Tom Sheen
Tuesday 28 October 2014 14:16 GMT
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(EPA)

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Chinese table tennis player Zhang Jike has been fined £35,500 (€45,000) after a furious celebration following his win at the Liebherr Men's World Cup on Sunday.

The Chinese player upset top-seed Ma Long in the final, but failed to take home any prize money after following in the footsteps of Newcastle United cult hero Temuri Ketsbaia and destroying an advertising hoarding.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) decided to withhold his prize money after the outburst.

Jike, who won the match in seven games, later apologised for his outburst.

"I am very sorry for what I did," he said. "It was not acceptable behaviour and I am sorry.

"This was a perfect victory, I have been under a great deal of pressure, with people questioning my form," added the London 2012 gold medal winner.

"I am now very satisfied and very relieved, I would like to congratulate Ma Long on an amazing final; we really put on a table tennis exhibition."

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